Published: 2022
Series: N/A
Author: Ryan La Sala
Genres: Contemporary, Horror, Young Adult, LGBT, Queer, Mystery, Thriller, Fiction, Fantasy
Audience (Grade Levels): Young Adult; Grades 9-12
Number of Stars: 5-Stars
Goodreads Link: The Honeys
Triggers: death, gore, bullying, terminal illness (cancer), homophobia, death of a parent, sexual harassment
Review By: Sara Tripp
Publisher’s Summary:
From Ryan La Sala, the wildly popular author of Reverie, comes a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat.
Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline’s radiance. But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who’d grown tragically distant. Mars’s genderfluidity means he’s often excluded from the traditions — and expectations –– of his politically-connected family. This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time. But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place. What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him. Folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic preparatory rigor. 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.
Review:
This book initially is a contemporary piece then becomes a horror story in the last quarter of the book. It starts off with a genderfluid teenage boy dealing with their twin sister’s death. Mar’s is very confident in their own identity but realizes that their presence at summer camp makes others uncomfortable. Mars has been there before and it didn’t end well. At this point you think the focus of the story will be on how Mars overcomes the gender obstacles at a very conservative, traditional summer camp but the story becomes so much more than that! As a reader you are aware of things that are happening to Mars but Mars is forgetting. You aren’t sure what to make of these situations and everything seems very disconnected for a large portion of the book. There were a few times I wasn’t sure I would finish the book but I am glad I did. As the pieces start to come together the story takes a much darker unexpected turn. Family secrets, camp secrets, who can Mars trust? The Honeys are mysterious, beautiful, calm and kind. Were the Honeys why Caroline loved summer camp? Or the reason for her tragic death? I would highly recommend you listen to this as an audiobook. The voices of the narrators are great and they incorporate in a sprinkling of background noises throughout the book which adds another dimension to the story. I also think there is potential for a second book or even a series!
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- English Language Arts (ELA): This novel provides an excellent opportunity to analyze genre transitions and structure, specifically examining how a story shifts midway from realistic contemporary fiction to psychological and folk horror. It is also highly useful for discussing unreliable narrators, memory gaps, and suspense building.
- Social Studies / Sociology: Ideal for senior high school discussions on rigid social structures, toxic prep-school cultures, and traditional gender roles within insular communities.
- Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Connects directly to themes of processing profound grief, coping with sibling loss, preserving personal identity under pressure, and reclaiming agency in exclusionary spaces.
Diversity & Representation:
The book features a highly confident genderfluid protagonist, Mars, who remains secure in their identity despite entering a highly conservative and traditional summer camp setting designed around rigid gender roles. This offers critical representation for LGBTQ+ youth, particularly highlighting the social barriers, resilience, and unique experiences of non-binary and gender-expansive individuals navigating traditional spaces.
Readalikes:
- Wilder Girls by Rory Power
- Reverie by Ryan La Sala
- House of Salt and Sorrows by Erin A. Craig
