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mutedemon's review against another edition
5.0
Drawn in by the beautiful illustrations and stayed for the poetic fairytale written by fairytales, this book suprised me. I've not come across a book like it before. It starts as if a collection of random unrelated short stories but really it is all one and the same. The style of writing feels poetic, almost vintage but the plot and characters themselves still feel relatable. Unlike many traditional fairy tales this one also ends sweetly and not too bitter, so will be an enjoyable satisfying read.
chriskoppenhaver's review against another edition
4.0
"Mosaic novel." I've seen that description for this book, and it's perfect. It's a collection of 100 fairy tales and fables. Some are isolated stories that illustrate a facet of life. Some are part of a larger narrative woven through the book. And some provide supplemental backstories to lesser and incidental characters from the larger narrative, in a sense combining each of the other two. I think all of my favorites were isolated fables that served only themselves, but, after a slow start, the larger narrative became increasingly compelling until I was reading for that more than anything. The overall package is quite marvelous.
scott_frank's review against another edition
5.0
I've never read anything of hers before (I bought it on the basis of loving Charle's Vess and his illustrations), but man, that may change now.
The hefty tome was even a bit daunting to pick up, but once I did, I burned through it with a feverish intensity. The stories at first seem disconnected (and some are, but the way they build and build upon each other shows Harris' talents as a master storyteller
The hefty tome was even a bit daunting to pick up, but once I did, I burned through it with a feverish intensity. The stories at first seem disconnected (and some are, but the way they build and build upon each other shows Harris' talents as a master storyteller
catsossi's review against another edition
5.0
Where to start with this gem of a book. A series of loosely connected original fairy tales by the talented Joanne Harris, Honeycomb spins an Odyssey-like story of the Lacewing King. These fairies are linked with and often described as insects and the like, but Charles Vess' illustrations have a Rackham-like charm that keeps the creep-crawly factor down. Some tales are a part of a grand epic, others are world-building fluff, but all are important. I couldn't put this down, but you should take your time and savour the tale.
ithinktfiam's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful book only slightly hurt by the rather rushed ending. This is a collection of parables and fables. Many are independent, but the rest weave through stories of repeating characters. The main one is the Lacewing King. Some of the shorter chapters/stories are the best and there's a tongue planted firmly in cheek with a number of them.
Also, I'd be remiss not to mention Charles Vess, the illustrator. The work throughout the book is well done, mainly black & white, but some lovely color panels.
It's a 4.5 and worth rounding up.
Also, I'd be remiss not to mention Charles Vess, the illustrator. The work throughout the book is well done, mainly black & white, but some lovely color panels.
It's a 4.5 and worth rounding up.
esotericfaery's review against another edition
5.0
More whimsical fable collections with overarching stories (or just regular novels) like this please, with just a few drops of horror.
booksandthebronxgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing, beautiful, sad and magical. New fairy takes. Lovely. Fabulous read.
elleyotter's review against another edition
4.0
Rating: 3.5 stars
This is such an odd yet amazing collection of tales. I love how the stories are so interwoven and linked - even the ones you don't expect to be. (The world's a honeycomb my love, the world's a honeycomb.) In the beginning I didn't much care for the repeat appearances of the Lacewing King in the various stories, and when I got to a Lacewing King story I'd take a break from the book and go read something else for a while... But by the end he (and his stories) really grew on me.
The stories I really loved, though, are the ones that feel much like traditional fairy tales. The ones about the farmyard, especially, are sort of dark and twisted morality tales, and I'm still not sure if I liked them or not! If you don't normally settle down with a copy of The Brother's Grimm or Anderson's Fairy Tales and just read a bunch of short stories, you may not love this book. At the same time it's not JUST separate tales because there's the repeat appearance and over-arcing plot of the Lacewing King. This book tries to bridge the divide, and judging from other reviews not always successfully. I enjoy epic fantasy as well as fairy tale collections, so it worked for me personally. I also liked being able to read a few stories and put the book down and pursue other things, then pick it back up and dive right back in.
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
This is such an odd yet amazing collection of tales. I love how the stories are so interwoven and linked - even the ones you don't expect to be. (The world's a honeycomb my love, the world's a honeycomb.) In the beginning I didn't much care for the repeat appearances of the Lacewing King in the various stories, and when I got to a Lacewing King story I'd take a break from the book and go read something else for a while... But by the end he (and his stories) really grew on me.
The stories I really loved, though, are the ones that feel much like traditional fairy tales. The ones about the farmyard, especially, are sort of dark and twisted morality tales, and I'm still not sure if I liked them or not! If you don't normally settle down with a copy of The Brother's Grimm or Anderson's Fairy Tales and just read a bunch of short stories, you may not love this book. At the same time it's not JUST separate tales because there's the repeat appearance and over-arcing plot of the Lacewing King. This book tries to bridge the divide, and judging from other reviews not always successfully. I enjoy epic fantasy as well as fairy tale collections, so it worked for me personally. I also liked being able to read a few stories and put the book down and pursue other things, then pick it back up and dive right back in.
A digital ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
mew_bee's review against another edition
5.0
This book is great for anyone who grew up loving books like Inkheart and Percy Jackson that still craves that childlike wonder but with more adult themes. It has a vibe that could be compared to the Grimm’s brothers classics tied in with themes from mythology and underlying political nods to modern day problems. It’s intriguing and incredibly insightful for a fantasy novel.