The Honeys

by Ryan La Sala

A twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the splendour
of a secluded summer retreat.
When Mars Matthias loses his sister Caroline under horrific circumstances,
it propels him to learn all he can about the once-inseparable
sibling who'd grown tragically distant.


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


The setting may be pristine and sun-drenched, but there's an undercurrent
of tension buzzing ominously. 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...





Heathers meets Midsommar, exploring the corruption
that lies just under the surface of the perfect lives of
the uber-rich

Perfect for fans of Kathryn Foxfield and Ace of Spades


Highly original, brilliantly written, queer YA horror

• ISBN13: 9780702316098
• Publish Date: 18 August 2022 (first published 16 August 2022)
• Publish Status: Forthcoming
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Scholastic
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 352
• Language: English

Reviews

[Angie]

Proceed With Caution:

This book contains death, murder, bullying, transphobia, homophobia, blood, and grief.

The Basics:

The Honeys is narrated by seventeen-year-old Mars, whose twin has just died after attacking him in his sleep. Caroline had been away at a summer camp for rich teens, but she returns different. After her funeral, Mars decides to return to this camp himself and try to learn what happened to her during that final summer. There he's pulled into the mystical world of the most envied girls at Aspen.

My Thoughts:

I honestly had no idea what to expect going into The Honeys. I just know I adored the authors previous book, Be Dazzled, and need more queer reads! Plus this sounded super weird and kind of eerie and like these girls were possible part of some kind of summer camp cult for rich people. I don't know. I just know that cover is gorgeous and I was drawn to it. Unfortunately, it wasn't for me.

The Honeys is one of those books that makes me feel stupid. I simply didn't understand anything going on. I couldn't predict where the story was going. Even when all was revealed, I was left utterly confused. Trying to figure out how everything fit together looking back was making my head spin. I just don't get it! Was any of it real?! Is this supernatural?! Was some of it all in Mars' head?! Are they on drugs?! Somebody tell me!

Other than being confusing, I was also kind of not that interested in Mars. I was eager to read about a genderfluid character navigating this super binary elite camp. But he was kind of boring? Mars is bullied, as was expected, but I did love how he stands up for himself. However, his genderfluidity was all we really know about him. His whole personality was being genderfluid and Caroline's twin. I wanted more!

I did really love the idea of the Honeys (the actual characters, I mean). They're these girls who stay in a cabin that's pretty isolated from the rest of the camp. They take care of the bees. Everyone wants to be them or with them or are intimidated by them. Every scene with them felt kind of surreal, like everything was just a bit too bright and perfect. I had to know more! But once I learned more, I wasn't interested anymore, because like I said, I was confused.

The Honeys has a great premise, but it felt messy and convoluted to me. And when it wasn't confusing, it was boring. I just don't know what to think about it really. I can't say it's bad, because I don't think it was. But I know it wasn't the book for me.

[Inkslinger]

I absolutely love this author. I can't say it enough.  

 

Back when I read his debut, Reverie, I.. like I'm sure many of you out there, knew he was something special. His stories are not only original, they're so full of unique concepts that they give me that opening page excitement all the way through. Honestly, he's so good that it's impossible to really retain HOW good he is between releases.  

 

This one starts off with a bang. It's such an intense opening scene that I'm hard-pressed to think of another book that can meet that first page 'wow' factor. While media has taught me to assume most wild occurrences in stories have simpler explanations, La Sala's stories go against the grain. His explanations are never simple. They're complex, richly layered creations.

 

Mars is a deeply likeable character dealing with a lot of heavy emotions. In addition to the loss of his sister, he's got his own fair share of past trauma to carry, and some seriously unfair expectations regarding social appearances due to his parents' high profile careers.

 

The moment he gets to Aspen, both those emotions and the atmosphere around him just seems to become even heavier. The behavior of those around him feel so wrong, that it adds to the tension you feel as a reader, knowing what you do about his intentions going in. There's nothing quite like that feeling of dread that you get because you know something is coming.

 

If you love a good mystery with a serious case of the creeps and a touch of the unexplainable, this is the book for you. I highly recommend any of La Sala's work.

(I received this title as an ARC. All opinions are mine and freely given.)