Reviews with content warning for Murder - The Honeys

Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

67 reviews

readingpicnic's review against another edition

3.75

This book kept me guessing the whole time, and I enjoyed being surprised by each new twist and turn that revealed itself as the story went on. I will say that this book was very slow for me to get through, which I think really slowed me down for the TRR unfortunately, and I considered DNFing it at certain points. It starts off really intense and then slows almost all the way down before picking back up around 70% through. However, I really enjoyed the ending of the book, so I'm glad I stuck through it ultimately. The bee horror in this book felt so creative and new, and I loved the drippy, rotten, and sweet imagery throughout. The depictions of grief were very real in this book and became all the more real after reading the author's acknowledgements section at the end. I appreciated how Caroline remained a presence throughout the whole story, even if just in the peripheral. I think that this book would make an excellent A24 horror movie honestly, going off of the trend on BookTok, as this book felt so cinematic and I could picture so much of it in my head. It reminded me a lot of both Wickerman movies, the original with its slow-paced disconcerting vibes and horror, and the remake with its bee horror. I was also reminded of Bunny a lot while reading this with the group of Honey girls, but I think this specific story hasn't been told before even though it reminded me of other horror. Overall, I enjoyed this and its explorations of gender, sexuality, and class. I think this story has so many layers to it and I wasn't necessarily patient at times with this slow method of storytelling, but I understand why it's well loved.

Content Warnings

dixiecarroll's review

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dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

This surprised me. I’m not sure why i had low expectations for this except that maybe because I’ve had not great luck with YA books lately. But this BLEW ME AWAY. So unique and so mysterious. I didn’t predict everything and it was such a wild ride. I loved the representation and the humor through that representation without being preachy - it was very accessible. Definitely recommend to everyone!

Content Warnings

milesofkiles's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Content Warnings

readingqueerly's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Y'all this was so good and scary and I couldn't stop reading but I also kept going to bed wide eyed and breathing hard thinking something would get me in the night. It was so weird and every but it was so incredibly intriguing trying to understand what was going on and throughout the book the author does such a good job of luring you into a false sense of security along with the main character. But when you finally learn what's going on like AHHH dig its nasty little stinger in my and didn't let go (HA That will make sense if you read it).
In addition, the main character is non-binary and gender fluid and the way they were being treated was very relatable.
"I'm openly out and telling you I use all pronouns"
"ok cool I will only call you by your pronouns that fit your agab"
This was such a good book and I truly truly can recommend it. And the podcast of this author as well which is how I found them. Listen to Bad Author Book Club y'all.

Content Warnings