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The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
dark
medium-paced
3.75
The Honeys
By Ryan La Sala
3.75/5⭐️
Mars (any pronouns) is shocked when his twin sister Caroline returns from the fancy Aspen summer camp in the middle of the night. She tries to k!ll him, but ends up dying. Determined to discover what happened, Mars returns to Aspen, a place with very traditional gender roles where he stands out as genderfluid. There he finds the Honeys, an alluring group of bee-keeping girls who were close with Caroline. By becoming closer to them, Mars uncovers a hive of secrets within the camp that will change his life.
This book had such a summery atmosphere around it. I found the first half to be quite slow, though I loved how Mars decided to just be a menace to the boys in his cabin by making them uncomfortable with his wearing makeup. Mars was such a likable protagonist, but I didn't have any real interest in the other characters. The second half was so fast paced, so much never-ending action. It did feel like the plot escalated a lot at the end, maybe too much. For me, the best part of this book was the setting as it was so well-described!
I don't really have much else to say about this book, just that it was definitely unique and I recommend it to those of you who enjoy horror.
Queer rep:
Genderfluid protagonist
Lesbian side character
Queer (achillean) side character
TWs: body horror, death, homophobia, transphobia, bullying, cancer, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexism
By Ryan La Sala
3.75/5⭐️
Mars (any pronouns) is shocked when his twin sister Caroline returns from the fancy Aspen summer camp in the middle of the night. She tries to k!ll him, but ends up dying. Determined to discover what happened, Mars returns to Aspen, a place with very traditional gender roles where he stands out as genderfluid. There he finds the Honeys, an alluring group of bee-keeping girls who were close with Caroline. By becoming closer to them, Mars uncovers a hive of secrets within the camp that will change his life.
This book had such a summery atmosphere around it. I found the first half to be quite slow, though I loved how Mars decided to just be a menace to the boys in his cabin by making them uncomfortable with his wearing makeup. Mars was such a likable protagonist, but I didn't have any real interest in the other characters. The second half was so fast paced, so much never-ending action. It did feel like the plot escalated a lot at the end, maybe too much. For me, the best part of this book was the setting as it was so well-described!
I don't really have much else to say about this book, just that it was definitely unique and I recommend it to those of you who enjoy horror.
Queer rep:
Genderfluid protagonist
Lesbian side character
Queer (achillean) side character
TWs: body horror, death, homophobia, transphobia, bullying, cancer, sexual assault, sexual harassment, sexism
You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
4.25
A horror novel set at a summer camp where people are being m*rdered left right and centre? I really enjoyed this one!
You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight
By Kalynn Bayron
4.25/5⭐️
This might be my favourite of Bayron's novels, it only took me a single day to read and the ending shocked me.
This book stars Charity, a teenage girl who works at a full-contact horror simulator every summer. She plays the Final Girl, and leads guests through the camp while a serial k!ller terrifies them. As the season nears it's end, employees begin to disappear. Charity, along with her girlfriend Bezi, try to outsmart the very real k!ller as they unravel the startling hidden past of Camp Mirror Lake.
This is quite a short book, and it's extremely fast paced. One brutal scene follows another, my eyes couldn't leave the pages because of the endless action.
The plot twists weren't really guessable for us readers, but they were still entertaining to watch Charity uncover. The slight fantasy aspect didn't fit right for me, hence the .75 star deduction in my rating. However, it all ran so smoothly that I can't wrap my head around what actually happened at what point in the book.
By the way, if you don't like reading about death then stay far far away from this one! And if you are reading it, don't become attached to the characters :)
TWs: m*rder, gore, death, animal death, gun violence, blood
You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight
By Kalynn Bayron
4.25/5⭐️
This might be my favourite of Bayron's novels, it only took me a single day to read and the ending shocked me.
This book stars Charity, a teenage girl who works at a full-contact horror simulator every summer. She plays the Final Girl, and leads guests through the camp while a serial k!ller terrifies them. As the season nears it's end, employees begin to disappear. Charity, along with her girlfriend Bezi, try to outsmart the very real k!ller as they unravel the startling hidden past of Camp Mirror Lake.
This is quite a short book, and it's extremely fast paced. One brutal scene follows another, my eyes couldn't leave the pages because of the endless action.
The plot twists weren't really guessable for us readers, but they were still entertaining to watch Charity uncover. The slight fantasy aspect didn't fit right for me, hence the .75 star deduction in my rating. However, it all ran so smoothly that I can't wrap my head around what actually happened at what point in the book.
By the way, if you don't like reading about death then stay far far away from this one! And if you are reading it, don't become attached to the characters :)
TWs: m*rder, gore, death, animal death, gun violence, blood
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds
4.25
We Deserve Monuments
By Jas Hammonds
4.25/5⭐️
Avery Anderson's plans are derailed when she and her parents move to Georgia to care for her dying grandmother, Mama Letty, who she has only met once before when she was very young. As her relationship with Letty grows, she learns more about the town's, and her family's, history.
Avery, our protagonist, seemed so real that I couldn't help but love her. It was nice to see a queer character who was already so comfortable with her sexuality. She makes friends with two local girls, Jade and Simone. Jade's horrible family played a part in the history of Avery's, which impacted the girls' friendship when they discovered the truth. Simone struggled with being in a homophobic household as a lesbian, and with her and Avery's quickly-blooming romance.
The main theme of this book was definitely family. I adored watching Avery and Letty get to know each other, from Letty nicknaming Avery "Fish" upon meeting due to her lip ring, to her telling Avery about her late husband Ray and what happened to him (unsurprisingly it was rich white men). I also liked how Zora, Avery's mother, and Letty slowly made up for years of abuse and arguing.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The beginning was a bit slow, but I soon grew to love the characters and found it very hard not to cry at the ending.
Queer rep:
Pansexual protagonist
Lesbian sc
Bisexual sc
TWs: racism, homophobia, death, murder, cancer, police brutality, alcoholism (past), gun violence, child abuse (past)
By Jas Hammonds
4.25/5⭐️
Avery Anderson's plans are derailed when she and her parents move to Georgia to care for her dying grandmother, Mama Letty, who she has only met once before when she was very young. As her relationship with Letty grows, she learns more about the town's, and her family's, history.
Avery, our protagonist, seemed so real that I couldn't help but love her. It was nice to see a queer character who was already so comfortable with her sexuality. She makes friends with two local girls, Jade and Simone. Jade's horrible family played a part in the history of Avery's, which impacted the girls' friendship when they discovered the truth. Simone struggled with being in a homophobic household as a lesbian, and with her and Avery's quickly-blooming romance.
The main theme of this book was definitely family. I adored watching Avery and Letty get to know each other, from Letty nicknaming Avery "Fish" upon meeting due to her lip ring, to her telling Avery about her late husband Ray and what happened to him (unsurprisingly it was rich white men). I also liked how Zora, Avery's mother, and Letty slowly made up for years of abuse and arguing.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The beginning was a bit slow, but I soon grew to love the characters and found it very hard not to cry at the ending.
Queer rep:
Pansexual protagonist
Lesbian sc
Bisexual sc
TWs: racism, homophobia, death, murder, cancer, police brutality, alcoholism (past), gun violence, child abuse (past)
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
4.0
WHAT WAS THAT ENDING!? WHY WAS IT NECESSARY TO DO THAT WHEN EVERYONE WAS HAPPY!?
Also, I hated Helena. A white supremacist transphobe, how wonderful....
Also, I hated Helena. A white supremacist transphobe, how wonderful....
Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
4.0
Salt Slow is a collection of nine short stories by Julia Armfield. I first discovered this author through the novel "Our Wives Under the Sea", which I read a few months ago. I still haven't reviewed it because it absolutely blew my mind away with its horrific beauty, but it is one of the best pieces of writing I have ever read. I was excited to pick up Salt Slow, and found it very thought-provoking and delightful to read. Below are short descriptions of each story, my opinions, and a rating out of ten.
1. Mantis- If this were a full novel, I'd read it. However, I think it was perfect as a short story with no explanations. Just a girl whose skin sheds to reveal a male-devouring mantis. I think that it was a good opening story, it sets the brutal atmosphere of the following stories. 9/10
2. The Great Awake- This confusing story is about people whose Sleep leaves them. They are forced to be awake 24/7, while the Sleeps cause havoc. I enjoyed this story, the pacing was a strange mixture between slow and fast. My main thought is about how large the electricity bills would be if you were awake all the time. And how bored I'd be. 7/10
3. The Collectables- The third story is about three friends who talk about dating men a lot, until one of them starts to literally create the "perfect man" after a breakup. It was weird and entertaining. 8/10
4. Formerly Feral- This story features a girl who remains with her father after her parents' divorce, only for his new wife to have a wolf as a daughter called Helen. Helen is treated like a child, and over time the narrator and Helen become very close. I immensely enjoyed this story, and would happily read at least a hundred more pages of the bond between girl and wolf. 9/10
5. Stop your women's ears with wax- This was my favourite story in the collection. It follows Mona, who is travelling with a band whose addictive (and probably magical) music drives their fans (all teenage girls) to commit violent acts against men. I immensely enjoyed the pacing, the plot, the perfectly underdescribed characters. 10/10
6. Granite- This story is about a woman, Maggie, who is in love with a man. He is the perfect partner for her, but unfortunately he turns to stone. I found this story to feel very lyrical, and felt a lot of sympathy for Maggie. 9/10
7. Smack- Here is a story about Nicola, a woman going through a divorce who locks herself inside her ex's beach house. I honestly had no clue what to think about this one. 6/10
8. Cassandra After- The penultimate story is about a woman whose dead girlfriend, Cassandra, comes back from the grave and acts as if everything is normal. Another confusing story with no explanations. 6.5/10
9. salt slow- The world is fully underwater, a couple are on a boat. The narrator, a woman, is pregnant with a non-human child. I liked how we were fed no world building, no information as to if the flooding was quick or if the waters rose over time. 7/10
My average rating of thise stories rounds to 8/10, which I consider an appropriate overall rating for this book. Once again, Armfield's gorgeous writing stole my heart, forcing me to read until I had finished, leaving me thoughtful and slightly confused.
1. Mantis- If this were a full novel, I'd read it. However, I think it was perfect as a short story with no explanations. Just a girl whose skin sheds to reveal a male-devouring mantis. I think that it was a good opening story, it sets the brutal atmosphere of the following stories. 9/10
2. The Great Awake- This confusing story is about people whose Sleep leaves them. They are forced to be awake 24/7, while the Sleeps cause havoc. I enjoyed this story, the pacing was a strange mixture between slow and fast. My main thought is about how large the electricity bills would be if you were awake all the time. And how bored I'd be. 7/10
3. The Collectables- The third story is about three friends who talk about dating men a lot, until one of them starts to literally create the "perfect man" after a breakup. It was weird and entertaining. 8/10
4. Formerly Feral- This story features a girl who remains with her father after her parents' divorce, only for his new wife to have a wolf as a daughter called Helen. Helen is treated like a child, and over time the narrator and Helen become very close. I immensely enjoyed this story, and would happily read at least a hundred more pages of the bond between girl and wolf. 9/10
5. Stop your women's ears with wax- This was my favourite story in the collection. It follows Mona, who is travelling with a band whose addictive (and probably magical) music drives their fans (all teenage girls) to commit violent acts against men. I immensely enjoyed the pacing, the plot, the perfectly underdescribed characters. 10/10
6. Granite- This story is about a woman, Maggie, who is in love with a man. He is the perfect partner for her, but unfortunately he turns to stone. I found this story to feel very lyrical, and felt a lot of sympathy for Maggie. 9/10
7. Smack- Here is a story about Nicola, a woman going through a divorce who locks herself inside her ex's beach house. I honestly had no clue what to think about this one. 6/10
8. Cassandra After- The penultimate story is about a woman whose dead girlfriend, Cassandra, comes back from the grave and acts as if everything is normal. Another confusing story with no explanations. 6.5/10
9. salt slow- The world is fully underwater, a couple are on a boat. The narrator, a woman, is pregnant with a non-human child. I liked how we were fed no world building, no information as to if the flooding was quick or if the waters rose over time. 7/10
My average rating of thise stories rounds to 8/10, which I consider an appropriate overall rating for this book. Once again, Armfield's gorgeous writing stole my heart, forcing me to read until I had finished, leaving me thoughtful and slightly confused.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body horror, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Sexism, Blood, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Injury/Injury detail
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
This YA contemporary fiction novel features Ari, who is r@ped by a popular, powerful boy called Luis Ortega. She is invited to join a group comprising of some of Luis's many victims, and they try to expose him as the piece of crap he is.
The Luis Ortega Survival Club
By Sonora Reyes
4.75/5⭐️
Our protagonist, Ari, is autistic with selective mutism. This results in her social life being nonexistent, until she meets the other Club members. I found her to be a very relatable protagonist, and thought that the autism rep was very good. It took her most of the book to realise that what her article about Luis required was her own experience, but I feel like she knew internally that she'd have to tell her story eventually to have any chance of succeeding in ensuring that Luis wouldn't harm any more girls. I felt sorry for how her mother treated her like a therapist, and was very glad when everything turned out well for Ari.
Shawni, the creator of the club and the love interest of Ari, was a great character, though maybe she lacked a smidge of development? I liked how she made sure there was always paper and a pen on hand so that Ari could communicate with the group!
Jasmine, Nina, and Angel (the other group members) were also very lovable. We learnt the least about Nina, which is unfortunate as I really enjoyed their friendly nature.
Jasmine seemed to be a very loyal friend, and I liked how she and Angel stuck by each other no matter what.
The pacing was perfect, I actually read this book in a single day and never got tired of it.
The ending was so happy it felt unrealistic, but I still consider it to be perfect as this is a story about hope, about naming and shaming predators, taking back control, and untwisting the narrative.
Queer rep:
Queer protagonist (unlabelled)
Bi side character
Nonbinary side character
TWs: r@pe (off-page), bullying, sexual assault, sexual harassment, infidelity, abelism, gaslighting, biphobia
The Luis Ortega Survival Club
By Sonora Reyes
4.75/5⭐️
Our protagonist, Ari, is autistic with selective mutism. This results in her social life being nonexistent, until she meets the other Club members. I found her to be a very relatable protagonist, and thought that the autism rep was very good. It took her most of the book to realise that what her article about Luis required was her own experience, but I feel like she knew internally that she'd have to tell her story eventually to have any chance of succeeding in ensuring that Luis wouldn't harm any more girls. I felt sorry for how her mother treated her like a therapist, and was very glad when everything turned out well for Ari.
Shawni, the creator of the club and the love interest of Ari, was a great character, though maybe she lacked a smidge of development? I liked how she made sure there was always paper and a pen on hand so that Ari could communicate with the group!
Jasmine, Nina, and Angel (the other group members) were also very lovable. We learnt the least about Nina, which is unfortunate as I really enjoyed their friendly nature.
Jasmine seemed to be a very loyal friend, and I liked how she and Angel stuck by each other no matter what.
The pacing was perfect, I actually read this book in a single day and never got tired of it.
The ending was so happy it felt unrealistic, but I still consider it to be perfect as this is a story about hope, about naming and shaming predators, taking back control, and untwisting the narrative.
Queer rep:
Queer protagonist (unlabelled)
Bi side character
Nonbinary side character
TWs: r@pe (off-page), bullying, sexual assault, sexual harassment, infidelity, abelism, gaslighting, biphobia
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Bullying, Infidelity, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment
Sleep Like Death by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Here's a Snow White retelling from the author of This Poison Heart and Cinderella is Dead.
Sleep Like Death
By Kalynn Bayron
3.5/5⭐️
Sleep Like Death is a Snow White retelling. Princess Eve believes that it is her destiny to defeat the Knight, an evil man who grants wishes literally (which included turning one of Eve's mothers into a bird after she wished for a beautiful voice). She has been training for years to take him down with her powers, but her mother has begun acting very strangely and talking to a mirror.
I read this book in two sittings, and it was extremely fast paced. Too fast paced. Everything felt rushed.
The references to the original tale were very well-thought, especially Claude and his 7 sons (4 still alive) who work in a mine, and the poison apple scene.
The characters felt quite underdeveloped, especially Nova, Huntress and Eve. What relation did Huntress have to the queen? Where did she come from? We never really learn.
I felt disconnected from Eve, due to a lack of information about her. Why was she known as the Queen's Fury? What has she done to build that reputation? There's no doubt that she was a brave and determined protagonist, but I would also have liked to feel attached to her.
And Nova was one of the least developed love interests I've seen from this author. Frankly, I had no interest in him or whatever happened to him.
The world-building felt similarly rushed, we didn't learn much about the history of the nation.
Overall, I did enjoy this book but it's shortcomings were too much to ignore. I do recommend it to those who enjoy darker retellings.
This was my fourth book by Bayron, and I haven't found a 5⭐️ book by her yet, but am still hoping I will someday.
Sleep Like Death
By Kalynn Bayron
3.5/5⭐️
Sleep Like Death is a Snow White retelling. Princess Eve believes that it is her destiny to defeat the Knight, an evil man who grants wishes literally (which included turning one of Eve's mothers into a bird after she wished for a beautiful voice). She has been training for years to take him down with her powers, but her mother has begun acting very strangely and talking to a mirror.
I read this book in two sittings, and it was extremely fast paced. Too fast paced. Everything felt rushed.
The references to the original tale were very well-thought, especially Claude and his 7 sons (4 still alive) who work in a mine, and the poison apple scene.
The characters felt quite underdeveloped, especially Nova, Huntress and Eve. What relation did Huntress have to the queen? Where did she come from? We never really learn.
I felt disconnected from Eve, due to a lack of information about her. Why was she known as the Queen's Fury? What has she done to build that reputation? There's no doubt that she was a brave and determined protagonist, but I would also have liked to feel attached to her.
And Nova was one of the least developed love interests I've seen from this author. Frankly, I had no interest in him or whatever happened to him.
The world-building felt similarly rushed, we didn't learn much about the history of the nation.
Overall, I did enjoy this book but it's shortcomings were too much to ignore. I do recommend it to those who enjoy darker retellings.
This was my fourth book by Bayron, and I haven't found a 5⭐️ book by her yet, but am still hoping I will someday.
The Bridge by Bill Konigsberg
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I went into this book expecting to be brought to tears by the topic of su!cide, but instead was just disappointed the whole way through.
Pros:
1. Good concept
2. Aaron's dad and Tillie's mother were so sweet.
Cons:
1. Aaron's lyrics were in such a light grey I couldn't read them. Oh well, hope they didn't affect the plot.
2. Aaron makes a joke about autistic people, gets called out, then thinks "if I weren't alive you wouldn't be mad at me, you'd think I'm great". But of course they're mad, you made an abelist joke! (As an autistic person this made me sad, as it was so similar to the jokes I often hear in school.)
3. Aaron mentions thinking how all men have pen!ses, which is just not true and as a trans person I was massively disappointed.
4. Molly fantasises hugging the problematic author Sarah J Maas (a racist z!onist) and her whole personality was just "I'm a popular girl who's secretly a SJM-loving geek".
5. In a time jump, a trans kid in 2051 is sad because his mother doesn't fully accept him. It'd be so easy to make this a happier chapter. It also kinda felt like the author went "oh no I've no trans rep, let's stick in this one teen 31 years in the future with no personality who exists for A SINGLE PAGE".
Everything not mentioned above was just unremarkable in neither a good or bad way.
Pros:
1. Good concept
2. Aaron's dad and Tillie's mother were so sweet.
Cons:
1. Aaron's lyrics were in such a light grey I couldn't read them. Oh well, hope they didn't affect the plot.
2. Aaron makes a joke about autistic people, gets called out, then thinks "if I weren't alive you wouldn't be mad at me, you'd think I'm great". But of course they're mad, you made an abelist joke! (As an autistic person this made me sad, as it was so similar to the jokes I often hear in school.)
3. Aaron mentions thinking how all men have pen!ses, which is just not true and as a trans person I was massively disappointed.
4. Molly fantasises hugging the problematic author Sarah J Maas (a racist z!onist) and her whole personality was just "I'm a popular girl who's secretly a SJM-loving geek".
5. In a time jump, a trans kid in 2051 is sad because his mother doesn't fully accept him. It'd be so easy to make this a happier chapter. It also kinda felt like the author went "oh no I've no trans rep, let's stick in this one teen 31 years in the future with no personality who exists for A SINGLE PAGE".
Everything not mentioned above was just unremarkable in neither a good or bad way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
4.75
You Exist Too Much
By Zaina Arafat
5/5⭐️
You Exist Too Much is an adult contemporary novel starring a Palestinian-American woman (whose name we never learn) who realises that she has a love addiction, which causes her to experience intense attractions to various unattainable women throughout her life. After breaking up with her girlfriend due to an attraction, she seeks help for her addiction.
The best way to describe this book is as a picture of a woman that is split into fragments. As we read, the fragments start to appear and sew themselves together, finally creating a full image of a woman. This is because the story bounces back and forth between the present day, in a centre where our protagonist is learning to face her addiction and the toxic relationship she has with her mother, and different events in her life.
Everything about this novel just felt so extremely real, so vibrant and captivating.
Queer rep:
Bisexual protagonist
TWs: toxic relationship, emotional abuse, eating disorder, biphobia, homophobia, addiction
By Zaina Arafat
5/5⭐️
You Exist Too Much is an adult contemporary novel starring a Palestinian-American woman (whose name we never learn) who realises that she has a love addiction, which causes her to experience intense attractions to various unattainable women throughout her life. After breaking up with her girlfriend due to an attraction, she seeks help for her addiction.
The best way to describe this book is as a picture of a woman that is split into fragments. As we read, the fragments start to appear and sew themselves together, finally creating a full image of a woman. This is because the story bounces back and forth between the present day, in a centre where our protagonist is learning to face her addiction and the toxic relationship she has with her mother, and different events in her life.
Everything about this novel just felt so extremely real, so vibrant and captivating.
Queer rep:
Bisexual protagonist
TWs: toxic relationship, emotional abuse, eating disorder, biphobia, homophobia, addiction