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A review by brooke_review
Honey by Isabel Banta
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Novels about 90s pop princesses are currently having a moment, and Isabel Banta is here with her contribution by way of her debut, Honey. The lives of the actual “core four” bubblegum pop singers of the 90s - Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Jessica Simpson, and Mandy Moore - were portrayed as glistening and golden in the media, as young girls and women the world over aspired to be like their favorite songstress. But in recent years, the veil has been lifted, with many of the women revealing that their careers were built on foundations of abuse and objectification. Honey, which follows a fictional up and coming over-sexualized teenage singer, Amber, is one such tale.
Amber Young knows that she can sing, but breaking into the music industry is a whole other story ... especially when you have an upbringing like hers with an alcoholic mother and absent father. When she is “discovered” at a local event, she is set up with an agent, but actually booking jobs is not easy. However, things turn around for Amber when she is invited to join the girl group Cloud9. In the late 90s, girl groups and boy bands are having their heyday, but Cloud9 is having trouble finding their footing. When Gwen Morris, the “star” of Cloud9, decides to break free and go solo, Amber follows in her footsteps, altering the course of her life.
As a solo singer, Amber finds herself marketed and gawked at for her large breasts and sexy looks. Amber finds it easy to slip into the role of sultry songstress, but she longs for the public to see her for more than just her body. As Amber navigates the exploitative entertainment industry, she comes of age amidst men’s glares and stares. Publicly pitted against Gwen, who in secret is her friend, while also exploring a clandestine relationship with Wes, a member of superstar boy band ETA, Amber attempts to stay true to who she knows she really is, while battling against everything the rest of the world wants her to be. As Amber propels toward stardom, she has to make defining decisions about her career, life, and love, while also combating the court of public opinion, which is watching every move she makes. Is fame worth it when you aren’t even free to just be?
Isabel Banta has delivered an explosive, captivating portrayal of what it was like to be young and famous during the late 90s and early 00s - a time when young stars were used and abused for every hit single they could produce, while being chewed up and spit out over every wrong move that they made. Anyone who came of age during this time in history knows that these hitmakers were portrayed as having perfect lives worthy of emulating down to the minutest of details, and were likely shocked to learn that everything that glitters is not gold, when the young stars, now grown, shared what it really was like to be on top of the world.
Banta’s Honey is insightful and eye-opening, while at the same time being intimate and tender. As someone who loves novels about the entertainment industry, my heart was completely wrapped around this nostalgic, yet scandalous tale.
Amber Young knows that she can sing, but breaking into the music industry is a whole other story ... especially when you have an upbringing like hers with an alcoholic mother and absent father. When she is “discovered” at a local event, she is set up with an agent, but actually booking jobs is not easy. However, things turn around for Amber when she is invited to join the girl group Cloud9. In the late 90s, girl groups and boy bands are having their heyday, but Cloud9 is having trouble finding their footing. When Gwen Morris, the “star” of Cloud9, decides to break free and go solo, Amber follows in her footsteps, altering the course of her life.
As a solo singer, Amber finds herself marketed and gawked at for her large breasts and sexy looks. Amber finds it easy to slip into the role of sultry songstress, but she longs for the public to see her for more than just her body. As Amber navigates the exploitative entertainment industry, she comes of age amidst men’s glares and stares. Publicly pitted against Gwen, who in secret is her friend, while also exploring a clandestine relationship with Wes, a member of superstar boy band ETA, Amber attempts to stay true to who she knows she really is, while battling against everything the rest of the world wants her to be. As Amber propels toward stardom, she has to make defining decisions about her career, life, and love, while also combating the court of public opinion, which is watching every move she makes. Is fame worth it when you aren’t even free to just be?
Isabel Banta has delivered an explosive, captivating portrayal of what it was like to be young and famous during the late 90s and early 00s - a time when young stars were used and abused for every hit single they could produce, while being chewed up and spit out over every wrong move that they made. Anyone who came of age during this time in history knows that these hitmakers were portrayed as having perfect lives worthy of emulating down to the minutest of details, and were likely shocked to learn that everything that glitters is not gold, when the young stars, now grown, shared what it really was like to be on top of the world.
Banta’s Honey is insightful and eye-opening, while at the same time being intimate and tender. As someone who loves novels about the entertainment industry, my heart was completely wrapped around this nostalgic, yet scandalous tale.